16 days after Clarkson's suspension for allegedly attacking a producer, the BBC has decided "with great regret" to drop the star entirely.

BBC director general Tony Hall said:

"It is with great regret that I have told Jeremy Clarkson today that the BBC will not be renewing his contract."

According to the full report released by the BBC on Wednesday, Clarkson unleashed "an unprovoked physical and verbal attack" on producer Oison Tymon.

Hall said it was this information that lead to the BBC's decision. Hall explained:

"I cannot condone what has happened on this occasion. A member of staff – who is a completely innocent party – took himself to Accident and Emergency after a physical altercation accompanied by sustained and prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature.

For me, a line has been crossed. There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations."

Fans have rallied behind Clarkson, but even over a million online petition signatures wasn't enough to sway the decision.

Clarkson has yet to comment on the news, but he did change his Twitter profile to say:

"I used to be a presenter on the BBC2 motoring show, Top Gear."

We don't know what Clarkson's next move will be, but we imagine some network will be willing to look past this incident when they see the size of his fan base.

Hall says the BBC is planning on keeping Top Gear on the air next season with a replacement host.